Standing For Reading of Bible

July 25, 2006

Today I finally figured out why we stand everytime we read the Bible in church. I found a nugget today in my reading. It is found in Nehemiah:

Nehemiah 8:5-6, 8
And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

8 So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.

How many times have I wondered why we stand up during the reading of God’s word? Now I now — it’s biblical.